Sunset hikes

A short walk out, the whole show, and back at your car before dark. Times are estimates at a relaxed pace; give yourself extra buffer, especially with kids or in a group.

1. Valley Farm Wildlife Sanctuary–Birchwood Hills, 6 groves 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 5:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:23 PM
   2. Sunset6:48 PM
   3. Head back7:03 PM
   4. At your car8:06 PM
   5. Dark7:16 PM

   Back at your car by 8:06 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.5 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 127 min of walking

2. Mayflower Ridge Trail via Beaver Trail (maintenance needed) 0.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:49 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:49 PM
   2. Sunset6:48 PM
   3. Head back7:03 PM
   4. At your car7:35 PM
   5. Dark7:16 PM

   Back at your car by 7:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 190 ft climb · 71 min of walking

3. Old Tote Road 0.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:08 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:08 PM
   2. Sunset6:48 PM
   3. Head back7:03 PM
   4. At your car7:21 PM
   5. Dark7:16 PM

   Back at your car by 7:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 37 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

4. Dow Parcel 0.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:55 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:55 PM
   2. Sunset6:48 PM
   3. Head back7:03 PM
   4. At your car7:34 PM
   5. Dark7:16 PM

   Back at your car by 7:34 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 64 min of walking

5. Birchwood Hills–Holden Road Conservation Area, 5 sights 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 5:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:28 PM
   2. Sunset6:48 PM
   3. Head back7:03 PM
   4. At your car8:00 PM
   5. Dark7:16 PM

   Back at your car by 8:00 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.3 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 117 min of walking

6. Heald Pond–H2C, 3 sights 4.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:12 PM
   2. Sunset6:48 PM
   3. Head back7:03 PM
   4. At your car7:21 PM
   5. Dark7:16 PM

   Back at your car by 7:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 34 min of walking

7. Old Limestone Quarry & Groton School Pond via Nashua River Rail Trail 6.9 mi away

   Leave by 4:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:35 PM
   2. Sunset6:47 PM
   3. Head back7:02 PM
   4. At your car8:55 PM
   5. Dark7:16 PM

   Back at your car by 8:55 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.4 mi to the viewpoint · 170 ft climb · 225 min of walking

8. Groton School Pond–Dead River, 3 lakes 5.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:26 PM
   2. Sunset6:47 PM
   3. Head back7:02 PM
   4. At your car7:03 PM
   5. Dark7:15 PM

   Back at your car by 7:03 PM — 12 min before dark.

   0.0 mi to the viewpoint · 2 min of walking

9. Squannacook River–Groton School Pond, 3 lakes 5.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:26 PM
   2. Sunset6:47 PM
   3. Head back7:02 PM
   4. At your car7:03 PM
   5. Dark7:15 PM

   Back at your car by 7:03 PM — 12 min before dark.

   0.0 mi to the viewpoint · 2 min of walking

10. Dead River via Wharton Road 6.1 mi away

    Be there by 6:27 PM

    1. Be there6:27 PM
    2. Sunset6:47 PM
    3. Dark7:16 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:16 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

11. Pine Isle–Groton School Pond, 3 groves 6.4 mi away

    Leave by 5:58 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:58 PM
    2. Sunset6:47 PM
    3. Head back7:02 PM
    4. At your car7:33 PM
    5. Dark7:15 PM

    Back at your car by 7:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 50 ft climb · 59 min of walking

12. West Throne Hill Conservation Land–Lawrence Land, 4 groves 3.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:22 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:22 PM
    2. Sunset6:48 PM
    3. Head back7:03 PM
    4. At your car7:05 PM
    5. Dark7:16 PM

    Back at your car by 7:05 PM — 10 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 8 min of walking